Chasing waterfalls

June 7, 2023 10:08 AM

Best women's water-proof hiking boots with ankle support?

Hi! I'm looking for recommendations for lightweight women's waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support. I'm not going to be doing heavy-duty hikes, mostly just 2-5 mile hikes that involve walking around wet areas (rivers, waterfalls). I also have been having a few ankle problems lately so wanting more support there.

Lightweight and breathable are also strongly preferred.

Ideally less than $200 and not sinfully ugly (god, please, no Keens). Will consider more $ if it checks all the boxes (waterproof, ankle support, lightweight, breathable, cute).

Thank you!

posted by greta simone to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)

Cute might be the trickiest part of all this, but it's hard to know what some folks might find ugly and others adorable. Here's REI's list of waterproof women's hiking books that are 1.5 pounds or less (one pair of Keens, but it's only 15 pairs total). Going up in a weight a bit adds another 100 pairs, so more options.

Fit can make such a difference, as can getting the size right, so I'd suggest taking a glance through these but getting to your local hiking store (REI or whatever) and trying on a few pairs and walking around the store and on their incline platform.
posted by bluedaisy at 10:56 AM on June 7, 2023 [3 favorites]

I've been happy with Merrell's. I have an earlier version of this waterproof hiking shoe. They're not the lightest, but don't feel that heavy when walking. I found they supported my ankles and footbed well for scrambles on inclines. I also don't hike particularly long, usually 3-7 miles at most. I've found, however, that they're not the warmest if you're going to be in below freezing temps for prolonged periods (but maybe I had the wrong socks).

Definitely try them on and break them in, though I only need about a mile break in before a trip to the Olympic Peninsula.
posted by typetive at 10:58 AM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

I don't know if you'll find them cute, but the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX (they have both all-gender and women's versions) ticks most of your other boxes (though they're not that light).

Altra shoes are, to my eyes, usually pretty unattractive, but they're super-popular with through-hikers for a lot of good reasons.
posted by box at 11:38 AM on June 7, 2023

Slightly above your $200 cutoff, but I've been hiking in Lowa's Renegade GTX for the last 25 years. Hard to get "cute" with hiking boots though, unless you count purple as cute, or your foot size is 5.
I live in mine (long hikes, but very little backpacking, travel, winter boots, walking around town) and they usually last about 3 years before the sole gets worn down to where I need to replace them.
posted by Dotty at 12:05 PM on June 7, 2023

Response by poster: By cute I mean as minimalist/sleek as possible (one color scheme, no no excessive rubbery things or strappy stuff or unnecessary flair) and not a green/brown/beige combo.

Thanks for the rec's so far!
posted by greta simone at 12:41 PM on June 7, 2023

How about these? Lems Boulder Summit. I haven't tried this model, though I really like their Outlander model. You're welcome to check that out too, but it has contrasting colors you want to avoid.

They don't have much in a way of arch support, but they do have decent ankle support. And they come they come in all one color: a slate gray nylon, or brown leather.
posted by Guess What at 1:01 PM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

If cute is an important criteria, look at Danner Boots. They have a filter on the side for the waterproof ones. I have an older version of the Adrika ones and they have held up pretty well.
posted by mjcon at 1:58 PM on June 7, 2023

I think this is one where the best answer is to go to your nearest independent outdoors store that does real boot fittings or REI and get advice and fitting from an expert and try on multiple pairs. It really doesn't matter what anyone recommends nearly as much as it matters what fits your feet and supports your ankles.
posted by hydropsyche at 2:07 PM on June 7, 2023 [2 favorites]

I am looking for the same exact thing! I have been wearing Merrells for a while now and I'd like to recommend them, but my most recent pair was not up to their usual standard of quality, sigh. I've always had luck before; maybe it was just a fluke or maybe they are going downhill. They weren't as waterproof as they should be and they developed holes within 18 months. I just ordered some REI brand made of recycled materials and I am unfortunately returning them: they were really stiff and had no ankle support so don't repeat my mistake. There is literally no decent outdoors store within a two hour drive for me and I have to order online; please report back if you find something great!
posted by mygothlaundry at 2:27 PM on June 7, 2023

Can you get Craghoppers in the US? I have a pair of their Adflex Boots which I'm very happy with. They have quite snug padding round the achilles which may or may not be what you're after. Mine are green but they're also available in black. I walked through a stream by a waterfall in them just the other day and no water got in. And I like the way they look.
posted by penguin pie at 3:10 PM on June 7, 2023

I love my Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo boots, but they are more than your budgeted amount ($300+ when I bought them in 2015 or so). They are not light, nor would I ever think to call them cute. But they are durable and can be resoled and they are great on the hard trails of the northeast US.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 3:37 PM on June 7, 2023

I have a pair of Sorel Lace Lennox boots that I got as rainproof city walking boots but turn out to be pretty great for hiking - might take a look at those. The ones I have are an older model, looks like they have an actual hiking version now.
posted by yarrow at 3:44 PM on June 7, 2023

Salomons might fit the bill? They do run narrow though, so try them on first for sure.
posted by supercres at 5:07 PM on June 7, 2023